Synthesis of biologically active recombinant Der f II

A cDNA library corresponding to mite protein was screened employing anti-Der f II antibody. Two possible clones containing plasmids pFL1 and pFL11 were obtained. The two plasmids had insertions of about 500 basepairs. The DNA sequences of the two insertions were determined, from which the amino acid sequences were deduced. The amino acid sequence of the purified native Der f II protein could be determined to 45 residues from the N terminus. As a result of comparison, we concluded that the cDNAs prepared from live Dermatophagoides farinae mite corresponded to the mite allergen Der f II. The recombinant Der f II was biologically active.

Inhibition of allergen-induced bronchoconstriction in sensitized guinea pigs by orally administered allergen

Crude mite extract (CME) was orally administered to guinea pigs sensitized to CME. It was shown that such treatment reduces the bronchoconstrictive response upon allergen provocation. Isolated tracheae taken from guinea pigs orally administered CME allergen showed less contraction in response to CME as compared to those obtained from sensitized but not orally treated animals. The oral administration of allergens seemed to attenuate the bronchial hyperresponsiveness of sensitized animals to a non-specific chemical stimulus (histamine). IgE antibodies titrated by 8 days passive cutaneous anaphylaxis, and IgG1 and IgG2 antibodies measured by ELISA were comparable in the sera obtained from animals before and after CME treatment.

Interleukin-4 gene expression in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells

Interleukin-4 (IL-4) mRNA was detected in normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) stimulated with concanavalin A by Northern blot analysis. The signal was undetectable in PBMC before the stimulation, but became detectable 3 hrs after the stimulation and reached a maximum in 3-6 h and disappeared gradually thereafter. Immunosuppressive drugs such as ciclosporin, hydrocortisone and prednisolone inhibited the IL-4 mRNA expression dose dependently. Interferon-gamma did not show any inhibitory effect on IL-4 gene expression.

[Bronchial responsiveness to methacholine in the mouse tested by a new apparatus measuring respiratory resistance]

We developed a new apparatus for the measurement of mouse respiratory resistance (Rrs) by an oscillation method. Bronchial responsiveness to methacholine was studied in mice sensitized or not with egg albumin using this apparatus. All of the sensitized mice showed clearly increased bronchial reactivity upon nasal challenge with methacholine compared to normal control mice. The lung obtained from a sensitized mouse showed remarkable contraction of the bronchial smooth muscle, submucosal edema and cell infiltration around the bronchi. These results indicate that mouse Rrs is successfully measured by our newly developed apparatus and suggested that repeated sensitization of mice with allergen render their airway hyperreactive to methacholine.

Basophil histamine release and airway response to mite allergen in atopic dermatitis

Twelve patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) were subjected to in vitro histamine release from peripheral blood leukocytes (basophils) and in vivo bronchial inhalation challenge using house dust mite (Dermatophagoides farinae) allergen. Not only seven patients with asthmatic history but also five patients without asthma responded to both the in vitro and the in vivo challenges. A significant correlation was observed between HR30 (a mite concentration producing a 30% release of total cellular histamine) and PC20 allergen (a mite concentration producing a 20% fall in FEV1). There was also a significant correlation between MHR (maximal histamine release) and the maximal fall in FEV1. The relationship held for both AD patients with asthma and without asthma. These results suggest that histamine release induced by the house dust mite allergen is a good in vitro test for predicting the bronchial response to this allergen. They also suggest that these tests are not disease specific, but are valuable in evaluating the degree of atopic state in a subject.

Enhancing effects of myristyl lactate and lauryl lactate on percutaneous absorption of indomethacin in rats

The enhancing effects of myristyl lactate (ML) and lauryl lactate (LL) on the percutaneous absorption of indomethacin (ID) from test solutions in propylene glycol (PG) were investigated in rats. ID absorption was observed to be markedly enhanced by the addition of ML or LL to PG as compared with the control (PG alone). The marked enhancing effects were observed at concentrations greater than 3% ML and 3% LL in PG. In particular, the maximal enhancement of percutaneous absorption of ID was achieved at 5% ML and LL. To elucidate the mode of action of ML as an enhancer, the percutaneous absorption of ID through the skin pretreated with ML alone was investigated. It was suggested that ML acts on the stratum corneum to produce its effect.

[Procoagulant activity of alveolar macrophages in bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis in rats]

Interstitial and intraalveolar fibrin deposition is a prominent feature in adult respiratory distress syndrome and is also observed in the inflammatory phase of interstitial lung disease (ILD). It is suggested that the coagulation abnormality in these disorders may be implicated in the pathogenesis of subsequent fibrosis of the lung. In this study, we examined the procoagulant activity (PCA) of alveolar macrophages during the development of bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis in rats. The PCA of alveolar macrophages was significantly increased at 2, 7 and 14 days after the intratracheal administration of bleomycin compared with that of control rats. The greatest PCA was observed at 7 days after the bleomycin injection, the inflammatory phase in the development of lung fibrosis. Increased PCA returned to the normal value at 21 days, while the fibrotic process advanced and the collagen content increased in the lung. Alveolar macrophages at 7 days after the administration of bleomycin or saline were separated into five density fractions on discontinuous Percoll gradients. The increase in the percentage of low-density macrophages was observed in bleomycin-injected rats. The greatest PCA was demonstrated in the lowest-density fraction (specific gravity less than 1.030), while reduced activities were observed in the higher-density fractions, in each group. The increased PCA of alveolar macrophages during lung injury was due in part to the increase of low-density subpopulation, which had greater PCA, although the fibrin deposition in the development of lung fibrosis remained to be defined, the increase of coagulation pathways may contribute to the progression of interstitial fibrotic lung diseases.

Percutaneous absorption of indomethacin from mixtures of fatty alcohol and propylene glycol (FAPG bases) through rat skin: effects of oleic acid added to FAPG base

The effects of oleic acid (OA) added to mixtures of fatty alcohol and propylene glycol (FAPG bases) on the percutaneous absorption of indomethacin (ID) were investigated by using the abdominal skin of rats in vivo. The percutaneous absorption of propylene glycol (PG) from FAPG base was simultaneously examined. The percutaneous absorption of ID from FAPG bases in the absence of OA was poor as compared with that from FAPG bases containing OA. It was observed that when OA was added to the vehicles in the range of 5 to 30%, the percutaneous absorption of ID from the vehicles was increased. In particular, the maximal enhancement of percutaneous absorption of ID was achieved at 5% OA. However, the enhancing effect of percutaneous absorption of ID diminished when the OA content in the vehicle exceeded 50%. PG was readily absorbed through the rat skin from FAPG bases and its percutaneous absorption profiles were similar to those of ID. It can be presumed that PG and ID penetrate together through the skin. In addition, it was confirmed that the percutaneous absorption of ID and PG from FAPG bases was not affected by the viscosity of the vehicle. If FAPG base is to be used as a vehicle for the purpose of percutaneous absorption of ID, OA is considered to be a useful additive.

Bronchial responsiveness to mite allergen in atopic dermatitis without asthma

Eight patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) without a history of asthmatic episodes and 8 patients with mite-allergic bronchial asthma (BA) were subjected to bronchial inhalation challenge with a nonspecific stimulus (acetylcholine) and an immunologically specific stimulus (house dust mite allergen). AD patients had a significantly greater concentration of IgE (p less than 0.01) and antimite IgE antibody (p less than 0.05) than BA patients. Nonspecific bronchial hyperreactivities of AD patients distributed from normal to asthmatic range. After allergen challenge, all 8 AD patients and all 8 BA patients showed an immediate asthmatic response (IAR). The mite extract concentration to induce an IAR was significantly (p less than 0.01) greater in AD patients than in BA patients. A late asthmatic response was observed in 6 out of 8 BA patients, whereas it was not observed in any AD patient. Our results showed that AD patients are less reactive to a specific mite allergen than BA patients in spite of greater concentrations of antimite IgE antibody. They suggest that this difference in the bronchial reactivity to the allergen concerns the difference in the onset of clinical symptoms and that a certain level of bronchial hyperreactivity to the allergen is a prerequisite for the development of asthmatic symptoms.

[A case of dermatomyositis which rapidly developed to respiratory failure in the presence of pneumomediastinum]

A 49-year-old woman was admitted in February 1987, with a six-month history of joint pain, maculopapular and erythematous rash, proximal muscle weakness and a two-month history of skin ulceration and dyspnea on exertion. Physical examination showed Gottron's papules on her fingers and a faint heliotrope rash. Biopsy of erythematous skin lesions on the shoulder and the back of the hand revealed perivascular inflammatory cell infiltration and tiny ulcerative lesions of the cutaneous tissue. Biopsy of the right quadriceps muscle showed type II fiber atrophy and slight perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate, whereas serum CPK level was within normal range. Chest X-ray film showed granular infiltrates in both lower lung fields. Based on the current findings the case was diagnosed as dermatomyositis associated with interstitial pneumonia. The administration of prednisolone, 30 mg/day resulted in the improvement of the skin lesions and muscle weakness, while the intensity of lung infiltrates was little affected. Three months after steroid therapy, the patient was readmitted because of increasing dyspnea on exertion and multiple skin ulcers. Chest X-ray revealed a small amount of gas in the mediastinum, in addition to slight deterioration of interstitial lung disease. In spite of various treatments for pneumomediastinum, including bed rest, administration of analgesics and oxygen inhalation, it developed rapidly, complicated severe subcutaneous emphysema and right-sided pneumothorax. Although high-dose prednisolone therapy and mediastinal drainage were performed, the pneumomediastinum was not resolved and she died from respiratory failure. At autopsy, predominant histological features of the lungs were acute interstitial pneumonia with hyaline membrane and edematous granulation formation in the alveoli.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Enhancing effect of cetyl lactate on the percutaneous absorption of indomethacin in rats

The enhancing effect of cetyl lactate (CL) on the percutaneous absorption of indomethacin (ID) from test solutions in propylene glycol (PG) was investigated by using the abdominal skin of rats in vivo. The percutaneous absorption rate of ID from 1 or 3% CL-PG test solution through the intact skin of rats was observed to be faster than that from the control solution (without CL). The bioavailability of ID was about 0.04% for the control solution, 2.2% for 1% CL-PG and 6.8% for 3% CL-PG test solutions. These results suggest that CL functions as an enhancer for the percutaneous absorption of ID. Furthermore, marked enhancing effects on percutaneous absorption of ID were obtained at a concentration greater than 1% CL in PG. In order to elucidate the mode of action of CL as an absorption enhancer, the percutaneous absorption of ID from the control solution and 3% CL-PG test solution through damaged skin from which the stratum corneum had been stripped was additionally investigated. It was confirmed that CL acts on the stratum corneum to produce its effect.

Comparison of total IgE and anti-mite IgE antibody levels in the sera of patients with atopic dermatitis and/or atopic bronchial asthma

In the present study characterization of serological features of AD and/or BA patients were attempted. Nearly all of the patients (23 out of 24) with AD with or without episodes of BA had total IgE levels higher than 1,000 IU/ml. Conversely, 14 out of the 15 BA patients showed total IgE levels less than 1,000IU/ml.9 out of the 14 AD patients with BA(AD + BA) had histories of childhood asthma but required no current treatment for BA. The rest of the AD + BA patients required medication for BA but they were easily controllable with conventional bronchodilators such as beta 2 stimulators and/or xanthine derivatives. It was shown that AD patients (n = 6) with extremely high titers of anti-mite IgE antibodies (more than 110 PRU/ml up to 820 PRU/ml) remained free from BA episodes in the presence of hyper IgE immunoglobulinemia (1,818 IU/ml to 47,300 IU/ml). The results indicated that hyper IgE immunoglobulinemia in atopic patients might prevent the development of severe BA, but on the other hand, increase the possibility of developing AD.

[Clinical assessment of pulmonary hypertension in collagen diseases]

The occurrence of pulmonary hypertension (PH) has been reported in association with collagen diseases. Because of its grave consequences it is of greatest importance to make an early diagnosis of PH and initiate adequate treatment. For this purpose we have carried out right heart catheterization study to determine pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP), pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), and cardiac index in thirty-four consecutive patients with collagen diseases including cases of mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD). We also compared the hemodynamic data with clinical pictures and the results of non-invasive cardiopulmonary tests which were done before catheterization study. Pulmonary hypertension as defined by the mean PAP of greater than 20 mmHg was observed in 11 of the 34 cases. PH was observed in five of 6 cases with MCTD and six of 17 cases with PSS including 2 cases with overlapping SLE and PM. The frequencies of positive anti-nRNP antibody, serositis, Raynaud's phenomenon and muscle involvement were significantly higher in cases with PH than in cases without PH. Catheterization study was most useful for diagnosis of cases with mean PAP of less than 25 mmHg, whereas echocardiographic study identified all cases with mean PAP of greater than 25 mmHg. No significant correlation was observed between mean PAP and vital capacity, total lung capacity or diffusion capacity measured as the percent of predicted normal values, which suggests that vascular abnormalities play a more significant role in the pathogenesis of PH than pulmonary fibrosis in collagen diseases.

Some regulation profiles of ornithine transcarbamylase synthesis in vitro

The regulation profiles of OTCase (argF, argI) synthesis in vitro were investigated by using the in vitro system described in the accompanying paper. Addition of 2.6 mM arginine, crude repressor and partially purified repressor to the in vitro system demonstrated that lambdadargF-DNA-directed OTCase-FFF synthesis is more sensitive to the repressor than lambdapargI-DNA-directed OTCase-III synthesis. The effects of some low-molecular substances on FFF and III syntheses were investigated; guanosine 3'-diphosphate 5'-diphosphate (ppGpp) stimulated both syntheses while cAMP and guanosine 5'-tetraphosphate (Gpppp) were not effective on III synthesis and were slightly inhibitory for FFF synthesis. The substances had no effect on the maturation of the enzyme or on the activity of the enzyme, FFF or III, synthesized. We suggest that argF- and argI-genes are regulated in a slightly different fashion and that the operator-promotor regions are not completely identical for these two genes.

In vitro synthesis of ornithine transcarbamylase

An in vitro system for the synthesis of ornithine transcarbamylase (OTCase) was established using iS-30 extract from E. coli MDS6-2(lambda) and DNA of a lambda transducing phage carrying argI and argF genes. This in vitro synthesis was completely dependent on the additon of DNA, and was sensitive to chloramphenicol and rifampicin. Radioisotopic analysis confirmed that the synthesized enzyme catalyzes the carbamylation of ornithine to citrulline. In the in vitro system the repression and derepression of OTCase synthesis could be observed by mixing iS-30 extracts prepared from argR+ and argR- cells. A remarkable maturation effect could be observed for the FFF enzyme, but not for the III enzyme. This system is considered to reflect the in vivo situation, and should therefore be useful for investigations on the regulation of OTCase synthesis in vivo.